Which Super Rugby fixtures are you most looking forward to © Graham Cousens / Scrum.com

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Super Rugby features key fixtures each and every season, matches that shape the competition and the destination of the trophy. Greg Growden looks at 10 matches you must watch this season. Which Super Rugby fixtures are you most looking forward to watching this season? Join the conversation using the hashtags #10for20 and #SuperRugbyFixtures.

Round Three: Bulls v Sharks (Loftus Versfeld, February 28)

The Sharks are blessed with an excellent early draw, as they don't have to leave South Africa until May. They should win plenty of home games but they also must win the important away fixtures, especially those on the veldt, if they are to be South Africa's main tournament threat. The Bulls are always tough at home and they may also be improvers this season.

The Bulls, on paper, represent the Sharks' first major test of the season © Getty Images

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Round Four: Reds v Waratahs (Suncorp Stadium, March 7)

At least two of the three Amigos will be back- Kurtley Beale for the Waratahs while James O'Connor will be up to his his mischievous best with the Reds in the injury-enforced absence of Quade Cooper. The Reds could be among the big improvers in 2015. Victory here will do a lot to revitalise a troubled organisation.

There is traditionally little love lost in Bob Templeton Cup fixtures © Getty Images

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Stephen Moore, Scott Fardy and Eddie Quirk got to know each other in 2014 © Getty Images

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Round Five: Reds v Brumbies (Suncorp Stadium, March 14)

With more than a month gone in Super Rugby, pundits will be trying to work out who should be where in the respective Test teams. The Wallabies will be forever on everyone's mind in Australia as it is a World Cup year, and this game could determine who should be where in the midfield. Hopefully some forwards are also starting to stand up … otherwise another excruciating year of fluctuations.

Round Six: Sharks v Chiefs (Kings Park, March 21)

By this stage we should know whether the Sharks are missing coach Jake White, and if the Chiefs are the best of the New Zealand competitors. You have to win your fair share on the road if you are to win the title, and at least Durban is appealing due to the weather and climate. Just stay away from the local nightclub traps.

There's always plenty at stake in Brumbies-Waratahs fixtures © Getty Images

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Round Six: Waratahs v Brumbies (Allianz Stadium, March 22)

Enough rounds have gone to have an opinion over who should be Wallabies captain in a World Cup year. Stick with Michael Hooper, or go with David Pocock or Stephen Moore? They all should be playing in this Sunday afternoon game - with the Pocock-Hooper encounter the most compelling.

Round 10: Crusaders v Chiefs (AMI Stadium, April 17)

If the Durban ventures have proven nothing then this Christchurch encounter should provide the right Kiwi pecking order, and who to plunge on to win the title. Most teams get very jittery about heading to Christchurch; not the Chiefs. By this time we also should know if Sonny Bill Williams is destined for Rugby World Cup prominence.

We should know by round 10 if the Chiefs and / or the Crusaders are New Zealand's pacesetters © Getty Images

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The Highlanders need Aaron Smith to spark in 2015 © Getty Images

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Round 11: Brumbies v Highlanders (Canberra Stadium April 24)

The Highlanders became so many people's favourite second team last year, due to their expressive brand of football. It was about time that they did something in the tournament as for several years they were master talent wasters. This match will be critical in determining whether either of these fringe dwellers makes the finals cut.

The Crusaders and the Waratahs produced a classic when they last faced each other in 2015 © Getty Images

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Round 15: Waratahs v Crusaders (ANZ Stadium, May 23)

We've had to wait a fair while, but at last a replay of last year's swashbuckling final. We shouldn't anticipate last-minute goals to win games, but there is bound to be incidents, defining moments, and players who rise and many who falter. Matches between these two franchises are always eventful.

Round 17: Blues v Crusaders (Eden Park, June 6)

Remember when the Auckland Blues were the be-all and end-all of Super Rugby. You need a great memory, but that was once the case. It is diabolical that the Blues have been so off for so long, but some believe they could actually do something this year. By this stage of the season, we should know whether the Blues disciples are excellent mystics or just form morons.

Have the Blues and Keven Mealamu got a finals campaign in them this season? © Getty Images

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Round 18: Sharks v Stormers (Kings Park, June 13)

It is a handy final round, with the Brumbies playing the Crusaders in Canberra, the Chiefs confronting the Hurricanes in New Plymouth, and the Waratahs playing the Reds in Sydney, but so much could still hinge on the last game. The Stormers are often hovering at this time of the year, requiring a giant-killer moment to sneak in.

Which Super Rugby fixtures are you most looking forward to watching this season? Join the conversation using the hashtags #10for20 and #SuperRugbyFixtures.

The Sharks and the Stormers may have a season on the line in the final round © Getty Images

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